so Alfred is coming here directly! Then I
understand everything. Hurrah, once more! I assure you that is the best
of all the good things that have happened to-day. I really think I must
play a festal overture till he comes! (Goes towards the piano, singing.)

Mrs. Riis. No, no, dear! Do you hear? No, no! (RIIS plays on, without
listening to hey, till she goes up to him, and stops him, pointing to
SVAVA.)

Svava. Oh, let him play, mother--let him play! It is the innocent
gaiety that I have admired since I was a child! (Bursts into tears, but
collects herself.) How hateful! How horrible!

Riis. My dear child, you look as if you wanted to be throwing down
gauntlets to-day too! Isn't that all done with?

Svava. No, indeed it is not!

Riis. You shall have the loan of my gloves, if you haven't--

Mrs. Riis. Oh, don't say those things to her!

Svava. Oh, yes, let him! Let him mock at us, mother dear! A man of his
moral earnestness has the right to mock at us!

Riis. What are you talking about? Does it show a lack of moral
earnestness not to be in love with old maids and sour-faced virtue?

Svava. Father, you are--

Mrs. Riis. No, Svava!

Riis. Oh, let her say what she wants! It is something quite new to see
a well-brought-up girl throw her gloves in her fiance's face and
accusations in her father's! Especially when it is all done in the name
of morality!

Svava. Don't talk about morality! Or go and talk to Mrs. North about it!

Riis. Mrs.--Mrs.--? What has she to do with--?

Svava. Be quiet! I know everything! You have--

Mrs. Riis. Svava!

Svava. Ah, yes-for mother's sake I won't go on. But, when I threw down
my much discussed gauntlet yesterday, I knew about it then. That was why
I did it! It was a protest against everything of the kind, against
its beginning and its continuation, against him and against you!
I understood--then--your pious zeal in the matter, and the show of
scandalised morality you allowed mother to be a witness of!

Mrs. Riis. Svava!

Svava. I understand now, for the first time, what your consideration,
your politeness to mother--which I have so often admired--all meant!
Your fun, your good temper, your care of your appearance!--Oh, I never
can believe in anything any more! It is horrible, horrible!

Mrs. Riis. Svava, dear!

Svava. All life seems to have become unclean for me! My nearest and
dearest all soiled and smirched! That is why, ever since yesterday,
I have had the feelin